Codethecity Health Saturday Updates

Everyone has the right to access to information to make them well. Many people do not have regular access to the internet, best indicated by the deprivation index.

This project is looking at how to bridge this gap over SMS – allowing individuals to send a text with a location and theme such as “Aberdeen Anxiety” and receive a response either asking further questions, or suggesting a course of action. No web links, just telephone numbers and addresses.

Currently looking at quality of results, data protection issues, tech layer, how to pull information, how to store information, how to access and discover the service.

POMOC

Pomoc is “help” in Polish. Many people are blocked from accessing appropriate services effectively due to language barriers.

This team is looking at the best ways to overcome this. They have discovered that in many cases it is cultural, rather than linguistic differences that are the biggest challenge.

Examples include cold remedies being available from doctors in Poland, but easily available in high street pharmacy in the UK. Seeing a doctor can waste GP time, lead to frustrating first appointments, and discourage further access.

They are currently working on the communication challenge around these differences, rather than on translation of medical terminology.

Delta Test

The team are addressing demand optimisation of GP requests into labs. The core problem is that many GPs do not have access to adequate information to select which tests to request – so request a full suite of tests.

Current system is very disjointed, excel based, and difficult to use. They’re working on an on-demand alternative to deliver easier access.

Friend Tree

A Gumtree for friends. Social isolation is a significant problem. The team wants to tackle this with a theme of ‘finding volunteers and other ways to provide social contact’.

The research phase has discovered a number of apps delivering similar ideas. The team is keen to avoid recreating something that already exists. The next phase is to test existing options.

The Team (formerly known Torry Dolphin Watchers and now known as) Float My Boat – Signposting

The key challenge here is how to enable people to identify options for health and wellbeing services and other related activities.

Have identified the potential for an app that can be aware of individuals, carers, cared for, and even provide profile management for care professionals.

Looking at novel interfaces to encourage usage. Also looking at challenges around the sourcing and validation of data.